diff --git a/code/game/objects/effects/effect_system.dm b/code/game/objects/effects/effect_system.dm
index e4e84b36b7e..2dccf8e3c17 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/effects/effect_system.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/effects/effect_system.dm
@@ -365,8 +365,8 @@ steam.start() -- spawns the effect
 			if (M.coughedtime != 1)
 				M.coughedtime = 1
 				M.emote("cough")
-				spawn ( 20 )
-					M.coughedtime = 0
+				sleep(20)
+				M.coughedtime = 0
 	return
 
 
@@ -389,8 +389,8 @@ steam.start() -- spawns the effect
 			if (M.coughedtime != 1)
 				M.coughedtime = 1
 				M.emote("cough")
-				spawn ( 20 )
-					M.coughedtime = 0
+				sleep(20)
+				M.coughedtime = 0
 	return
 
 /datum/effect/effect/system/bad_smoke_spread
@@ -602,8 +602,8 @@ steam.start() -- spawns the effect
 			if (M.coughedtime != 1)
 				M.coughedtime = 1
 				M.emote("cough")
-				spawn ( 20 )
-					M.coughedtime = 0
+				sleep(20)
+				M.coughedtime = 0
 	return
 
 /obj/effect/effect/sleep_smoke/Crossed(mob/living/carbon/M as mob )
@@ -618,8 +618,8 @@ steam.start() -- spawns the effect
 			if (M.coughedtime != 1)
 				M.coughedtime = 1
 				M.emote("cough")
-				spawn ( 20 )
-					M.coughedtime = 0
+				sleep(20)
+				M.coughedtime = 0
 	return
 
 /datum/effect/effect/system/sleep_smoke_spread